Junior team best in Wales
A group of talented mathematicians have achieved notable success in a national competition.
The team of Baptiste Mazars, Juan Rajagopal, Jerry Zhao and Alicia Zhou travelled to London to compete at the United Kingdom Maths Trust Team Challenge national final last month.
Working well as a group, the foursome produced another memorable effort to come away with the Best in Wales crown after a highly competitive day of action.
Mr Smith, said: “We are a school which prioritises learning and a love of that learning.
“These talented pupils and their maths teachers are to be congratulated for their efforts and the hard-work which goes into preparing for such events."
The Lindley Hall final featured a number of other qualifiers who had won their regional heat, something the quartet achieved in fine style, where they finished above Ruthin School to make it through to the showcase.
It has been another standout year for the Maths department in all areas of the competition, with a number achieving gold certificates and Emily Li being invited on to the British Mathematical Olympiad squad.
Mr Cashell, added: “To be crowned the Best in Wales just demonstrates the hard work that our four pupils have put in throughout the competition and everyone at Rydal Penrhos is thrilled for them."
Juan Rajagopal scored a highly impressive 53 out of 70 in the Junior Mathematical Olympiad, which put him in the top 50 entries from the 1,200 that qualified for the event.
The 13-year-old managed to successfully achieve three perfect solutions to a series of difficult questions, which secured him the silver medal, just one mark shy of gold.
He will receive a certificate of Distinction, a silver medal and a book prize in recognition of his accomplishment, in addition to a large round of applause at the school’s end of term Prizegiving Assembly.
This is the latest in a long line of triumphs for the pupil, who qualified for the prestigious showcase after gaining a Gold certificate, Best in School and Best in Year 8 for his efforts at the recent UK Maths Trust Junior Challenge.
He was also part of the team that gained the Best in Wales crown at the UKMT Junior Maths Team Challenge, after winning the regional heat alongside Alicia Zhou, Baptiste Mazars, and Jerry Zhao.
Mr Cashell, said: “What Juan has managed to accomplish this year in the field of Mathematics is nothing short of extraordinary, and this result confirms his status as one of the brightest young minds anywhere in the country.”